By Ultan Corcoran@UltanCorcoran

Torn muscle officially ends Lennart Karl's World Cup dreams with Germany

The 18-year-old's World Cup dreams have been dashed before the tournament even officially got underway.

Photo: Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images.

The German national team's worst fears have become a reality, with Sky Germany reporting that Lennart Karl will miss the 2026 World Cup.

Earlier this evening, the 18-year-old talent suffered a torn muscle bundle during Germany's final training session in Chicago.

This muscle injury was officially revealed by an MRI scan after the Bayern Munich prodigy limped off the field with 20 minutes remaining.

However, a final decision regarding further treatment for the versatile attacker is currently being made by Julian Nagelsmann and Co.

Meanwhile, internal discussions within the German camp are also underway regarding the forward's potential return to Munich.

For Karl, the dream of featuring at his first-ever World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico is over before it has even properly begun.